Deadline Looms For Candidates Who Want To Get On The Ballot In Illinois

People running for office have until Monday at 5 p.m. to gather the signatures they need to get on the ballot here in Cook County and around the state.

That presents a unique challenge for candidates like Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and Alderman Carlos Ramirez Rosa, who made quick decisions to run for Congress this week after Congressman Luis Gutierrez said he would not seek re-election in 2018 on Tuesday afternoon.

Getting enough signatures — or petitions, as they’re known — is a complicated and very political process in Illinois. So, how does it work? Morning Shift talks to election lawyer Burt Odelson, who has been litigating the petitioning process for 45 years.